Safari Holiday Camps in Zimbabwe

There are many fascinating things to see and do in Zimbabwe – so many, in fact, that you may need to camp overnight to fit everything in. Help is at hand, as we Western tourists have compiled descriptions of our favourite cheap places to camp on safari in Zimbabwe.

Musango Safari Camp on the coast of Matusadona National Park has great views over Lake Kariba. This excellent safari camp has 16 beds and is well looked-after by its owners. A range of wildlife and birdlife activities are available during the day. There is a good-sized outdoor swimming pool, a restaurant and bar for your down time.

The Cawston Block in Zimbabwe’s second city Balawayo is an ideal campsite if you’re planning to visit Victoria Falls and Hwange National Park. The block is not only owned by a family, but they also provide family-friendly bush walks and adventure activities. You can have a night’s stay for as little as £31 per person including breakfast and parking. While this isn’t the cheapest price in Zimbabwe, it’s the price you pay to save travel time as it’s so close to tourist hotspots.

From £23.10 a night you and your partner can stay in Southern Comfort on the outskirts of Bulawayo. There’s a choice of cosy tents, comfortable caravans and lodges – or you can pay to park your own campervan. The site is nice and peaceful, yet close to the ‘City of Kings’, where there are shops, museums and restaurants aplenty. Another camping location in Zimbabwe fit for kings (and families).

If you want to be walking distance away from Victoria Falls, Shearwater Explorers Village has fully serviced tent hire with stretcher beds, linen, side tables, lamps and electrical sockets. The campsite also has trendy boutique rooms if you’d like a break from camping. The central location near to artisan markets makes it a hit with travellers, as well as catering for families. Shearwater is rated as number 1 for value on TripAdvisor.

Our favourite campsite is in the Zimbabwean Midlands. Antelope Park in Gweru can be as cheap as just £15.39 for an overnight stay in a 3,000-acre game park. Again, there’s a choice of all types of camping and a swimming pool on-site. However, in Antelope Park you’ll actually camp amongst the game. Wildebeest, kudu, impala antelope, as well as zebras and elephants, roam on the beautiful green land around the oasis. With all this safari action as soon as you wake up, you won’t want to leave the campsite!

Norma Jean’s Lakeside Resort is a budget-friendly camping location from £23.10 per couple per night. This one has the added romance of views overlooking Lake Mutirikwi and Lake Kyle in Masvingo Province. The lake’s Recreational Park, the home of rhinos, buffalo, zebras, jackals and hawks, is great for fishing, hiking and horse-riding. This friendly site does well to cater for English-speaking customers, with a full English breakfast, included in the price.